Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
The Mindful Parent is an organization devoted to sharing with
parents and other child caregivers ways in which to enhance the many
joys of parenting. By mindfully attending to our children, both
when we are physically present with them and when we are physically
separated from them, we can enhance our sense of connection to them
and, in turn, our connection to the cosmos. This makes us a
better parent, a happier person, and a more vital human being.
To
facilitate a more mindful approach to parenting, The Mindful Parent
publishes on its website, and in its bi-weekly
newsletter, mindful
parenting
verses and commentaries. The Mindful Parent website
also serves as a community forum that encourages and supports a mindful
parenting dialogue and the sharing of mindful parenting experiences.
In
the spirit of developing a mindful parenting community, we encourage
you to
submit a mindful parenting experience through verse,
commentary, and imagery to share with others. We believe that
through our collective experience, we can help each other develop
a deeper and more meaningful mindful parenting practice.
Click here to learn more about making a submssion. We thank
everyone who has contributed or is considering making this very compassionate
contribution.
Click
here to learn what recent events are taking place
and of changes to The Mindful Parent website. Please
contact
us with your questions about mindful parenting or to share a mindful
parenting experience. We are devoted to working with you to
enhance your ability to "be" with your children, and to experience
the bliss that awaits you.
The Daily Sip:
As You Breathe Your Child Breathes
Today's
exercise is one that can be done anytime, though it is often most
powerful when done in the early morning or late evening, when your
child is sleeping.
Your breathing connects you deeply to your
child. You can liken your breathing and your child's breathing to
waves (in an ocean or lake), each continually lapping against the
shore. Sometimes the waves are rough, sometimes gentle,
just as your breathing is sometimes deep, sometimes shallow.
And, like two waves, sometimes they break at the same time, sometimes
at different times, and with different rhythms.
When your child
sleeps, your child's breathing takes on a fuller, deeper character.
The inhalations and exhalations are slower and the breath is
drawn in deeper so that there is belly breathing. This is a
beautiful time to expand your connection with your child by synchronizing
your breathing.
As I breathe
My child breathes
It doesn't matter whether you are in the same
room with your child. And if your child is older and lives away
from home, it doesn't even matter whether you know where your child
is at the moment. No matter, your child is breathing.
Sit
in a comfortable place, preferably in the early morning or late evening
when your child is sleeping. If you have a meditation practice,
consider adding this exercise to your practice. Close your
eyes or soften your gaze and slowly inhale. As you do, sense
your child's slow and easy inhalation and recite the verse, "As
I breathe / My child breathes." Breathe deeply and expand
your belly. Then, exhale slowly. Repeat this as many times
as you like. While early morning and late evening, much like
the ocean's tides, can be profound moments, this exercise, which you
may find to be very calming, can be done anytime.
